I ordered these from my boyfriend, who normally wears a size 10. Reading the other reviews, I decided to go for a size 9 knowing that they ran big, I should have ordered a size 8! The size 9 was still have an inch too big. Unfortunately, he wore them outside already, so I'll just have to order another pair if he wants a pair that fits better.
They look cool though, and he says he really likes them even though they're a little too big.
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The split toe style helps with lateral movement. Very thin, light-weight, and flexible allows for better foot response and agility, but protects the foot from landing on any hard rocks, yet still sensitive enough to know how the ground feels under your foot if there's any dips or rocks, but won't bother you foot, allows you to respond better and faster with your takes-off and landings. The higher sole front also protects the toes from kicking any hard debris. So light you'll feel like you're flying. So, comfortable you can sleep in them. Personally, I think the sole and higher tongue makes it look more like a regular sporty shoe from the side and less like you're just wearing socks like most barefoot shoes, or the funnier vibram five finger shoes. Vibrams Five Fingers are the best barefoot shoes you could get, but these work out just as nice for lateral movements and way cheaper, and the tabi style is enough because really all your toes move together besides the big toe. Have you ever tried moving just your pinky toe without all the other toes moving the same except the big toe? If you don't use much lateral movements and want a regular looking shoe without the split or separate toes, then I'd check out Merrell's barefoot shoes as they have Vibram soles.
The only thing that could be an even better improvement of this shoe is Vibram soles. Bouting is fine is Zem soles, but I'm sure much better with certain Vibram style sole patterns under the big toe mound area. Cons, the rubber sole is harder than Vibrams or Feiyues, so running up smooth glossy walls would not grip very well, but not a problem for any other walls. You can wear without socks, but if wearing for an extremely long time or your feet are extra sweaty, then you have to find tabi style socks.
As for sizing, I didn't have to order a size smaller or larger, fit perfectly. Although, depending on your feet, you may need to tryout a more narrow or wider size. Make sure to MEASURE (in inches or centimeters) your feet and look at their size chart. Don't just assume if you wear say a size 8 that every maker's shoe is going to fit you precise. My feet measure 25.5 cm, which is usually an 8, but when I wore Merrell's, they're chart is a half size bigger, so I needed 8.5 with them. But with Zems, fits me as an 8. ;)
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I'm happy I got these shoes, and they will definitely work for what I need them for. I've been wearing VFFs for two years and I love them, I wear a W41 or M40, getting aM7/W8 in these. I listend to another reviewer and got these a size smaller than I thought I should, and they fit perfectly. The soles are stiffer than VFFs, which is just fine, since they will be used casually. The fabric is thick, which I like, but not so thick that it's uncomfortable. The rubbery striping on the top keeps them snug. Echoing another reviewer again, there are plasticy 'toenail' details that...well...look pretty dumb, and don't seem to serve a purpose. If I could figure out a way to get them off without damaging the shoes, I would. The part of the heel that faces towards the body is also just a tad too big for my foot, but after walking around all day, it doesn't cause a problem. I also like that they are higher up on the foot/ankle, so I won't have a gap between the shoes and my pants. I'm looking forward to see what improvements Zem makes in their future generations of shoes, and I hope they keep styles that have the split toe, because that's one of the best features.
Honest reviews on Hero Ninja UNISEX Black/Brick
I can't wait to try minimalist running, but these work great on hardwood floors for training, and are more durable than my traditional tabi boots.
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feels weird and floppy on the foot
I could not run or walk with it
It has the look and feel of the neopren booties one wears on the beach
for the price of a regular shoe
